A big slice of Welshpool military history has turned up at a Bishop’s Castle antiques shop, and it could be worth up to £1,400.
Mike Clarke says he was delighted when a regular visitor to his Empires and Eagles shop asked if he would be interested in a Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Cavalry trooper’s white metal helmet that had been in his father’s wardrobe for about 50 years.
Mike couldn’t believe his luck, and says the helmet is the same design used by the soldiers during the Second Boar War in around 1900, where many local men served on the South African battlefields.
“It is the 1882 pattern helmet, so could be up to 140 years old. It is definitely pre-1900 so at least 120 years old,” Mike told us.
He is now keen to find out who it originally belonged to so its full story can be told.
“The person who brought it in often comes to the shop so I presume they are local. It is because of my interest in military history that he asked if I would like it, so he brought it in.
“It’s a shame no-one knows who the original owner was who wore it.
“Luckily, the condition is good but it has not been well loved, not regularly polished or anything, but that is how I like them.
“I have only ever seen one other at a friend’s in Montgomery. It is one of those things I thought I would never have myself and then one came into the shop!”
“Unfortunately the gentleman didn’t know from where his father obtained the helmet, just that he bought it all those years ago.”
As for its value? Mike said it is for sale at £1,400, but if it was in better condition it could have been priced at up to £1,800.
The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry was a Welsh auxiliary unit of the British Army first formed in 1803. It provided volunteers to the Imperial Yeomanry during the Second Boer War and formed three regiments for service during World War I. It was broken up and converted to infantry and artillery in 1920.
The unit was headquartered at Brook Street, Welshpool, and consisted of around 120 troops from across the area including Newtown, Montgomery, Abermule, Guilsfield, Llanfyllin, Caersws, Berriew and Llangedwyn.
If you have information on the history of the helmet, or have similar items up in the attic or at the back of the wardrobe, contact Mike on empiresandeagles@gmail.com.